Management at Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) is willing to return to the bargaining table and exercise flexibility in the current stand-off with the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU). This was confirmed by Labour Minister Errol McLeod yesterday during an interview with reporters. He said he believed the matter could be resolved. McLeod, who is also acting Prime Minister, said TCL had written to him indicating its position.
"I am awaiting the union to do the same. It is the union's right to do or not to do. They will exercise their right," McLeod said. He was speaking after the launch of the Industrial Relations Advisory Committee, at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain. McLeod said if TCL and the union were serious, "then they need only say the word and I am ever ready". On February 27, the OWTU served a 90-day strike notice on TCL.
On Tuesday OWTU president Ancel Roget burnt a lockout notice and copies of letters sent to the union at Claxton Bay. McLeod said when the 90-day notice elapsed the matter will be referred to the Industrial Court. He said: "The minister wants to intervene but the minister doesn't want to just jump in the people's dance, waste time and not settle the matter.
"Both parties must indicate to the minister that we would like your intervention, we have come to new positions which we would like to explore and failing which, we would ask the minister to report the matter to the Industrial Court." Roget was not present at yesterday's launch.
Among some of the trade unionists present were Communication Workers' Union president Joseph Remy, Public Services Association president Watson Duke, All Trinidad General Workers' Union president John Jaglal and Banking, Insurance and General Workers' Union president Vincent Cabrera.
During his feature address, McLeod said he was prepared to sit with the two sides whenever they requested his attention. "If people are going to come with good reason, nothing should remain unresolved. "I believe we can bring an end to that impasse but it depends on the parties to have it settled," he said.
Meanwhile president of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce Andrew Sabga said as a businessman he was concerned about the impasse. He said the parties should try to resolve the issue amicably. Sabga said: "We hopefully and anxiously await the union to indicate that they too will like to resolve this thing in a proper and amicable manner.
"At the end of the day it is people's job they are dealing with and we hope that there could be a settlement that is palatable to both parties."